Keep iPad charging while using it?

absentraveler · Jun 7, 2011, 02:00 PM

I am a new iPad 2 user and have a naive question. Normally, I charge my iPad once a couple of days and use it while it is discharging. Then, I charge it again once the charging levels have reached 10-15%.

Is this mode of usage optimal for the longevity of the battery? Or should I keep the battery charging while I'm using the iPad? I do not have a docking station (since I'd opted for a smart cover instead) but I can still keep it connected to the power outlet on my office desk.

On a related note, how long does the iPad battery keep giving optimal performance?

absentraveler · Jun 9, 2011, 05:25 AM

No response at all! :-(

wizee · Jun 9, 2011, 06:19 AM

When my ipad 2 gets low, I charge overnite, when I turn on in the am, I leave it plugged in until I leave the house. Been doing this since March. No problems.

Also, If you turn off the auto rotate, (only use it when needed) you will gain more time. I average 11 hours of power. Neat trick.

mrkramer · Jun 9, 2011, 06:24 AM

I use mine while it's plugged in, I also drain the battery every couple of days and haven't had a problem.

club1820 · Jun 9, 2011, 12:48 PM

Does anyone know if there are extensions cords available so you don't need to be so close to an outlet?

thanks.

Aspasia · Jun 9, 2011, 09:45 PM

Apple sells a 10W USB charger with a six-foot cord. $29 at the online store. Very handy to keep in the house while the original charger travels with your iPad.

Cubemaster13 · 02:21 PM

Dont really understand what you are asking sorry. If you want to try to use your computer to charge your iPad when it says not charging, there is a video on YouTube if you search charge iPad anywhere, that's what I use to charge my iPad in my low end Dell laptop. Not sure if it is what you are looking for, sorry.

bufffilm · Jun 11, 2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by absentraveler

Then, I charge it again once the charging levels have reached 10-15%.

that would be OK, i wouldn't recommend going lower than 10% before recharging. you want to avoid regularly reaching 5% or less on the battery level (this is known as deep discharging) because some studies show that constant deep discharging accelerates the deterioration of the battery.

i generally plug-in my ipad when i reach 15-20% remaining, with my usage pattern it works out to about 1 charge per 7 days.

apple recommends doing 1 deep discharge every 30 days. you should take that with a grain of salt as everyone's usage pattern varies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by absentraveler

Or should I keep the battery charging while I'm using the iPad?

no, you should avoid doing this on a regular basis. this is known as "topping off" and like deep discharging, it can eventually lower the storage capacity of the battery.

absentraveler · Jun 13, 2011, 02:44 PM

Thanks for your very useful response, bufffilm!

porcupine8 · Jun 13, 2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by club1820

Does anyone know if there are extensions cords available so you don't need to be so close to an outlet?

thanks.

Plug the electric plug into any old extension cord, no need to pay for an extension for the USB plug.

Ashwood11 · Jun 13, 2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porcupine8

Plug the electric plug into any old extension cord, no need to pay for an extension for the USB plug.

That what I do!

Jun 7, 2011, 02:00 PM	#1
absentraveler macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2011	Keep iPad charging while using it? I am a new iPad 2 user and have a naive question. Normally, I charge my iPad once a couple of days and use it while it is discharging. Then, I charge it again once the charging levels have reached 10-15%. Is this mode of usage optimal for the longevity of the battery? Or should I keep the battery charging while I'm using the iPad? I do not have a docking station (since I'd opted for a smart cover instead) but I can still keep it connected to the power outlet on my office desk. On a related note, how long does the iPad battery keep giving optimal performance?
	0

Jun 9, 2011, 06:24 AM	#4
mrkramer macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere	I use mine while it's plugged in, I also drain the battery every couple of days and haven't had a problem. __________________ "Jesus was the first socialist, the first to seek a better life for mankind." -Mikhail Gorbachev
	0

Jun 11, 2011, 02:14 PM	#7
Cubemaster13 macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana	Dont really understand what you are asking sorry. If you want to try to use your computer to charge your iPad when it says not charging, there is a video on YouTube if you search charge iPad anywhere, that's what I use to charge my iPad in my low end Dell laptop. Not sure if it is what you are looking for, sorry. Last edited by Cubemaster13; Jun 11, 2011 at 02:21 PM.
	0

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Jun 9, 2011, 05:25 AM	#2
absentraveler Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2011	No response at all! :-(
	0

Jun 9, 2011, 06:19 AM	#3
wizee macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania	When my ipad 2 gets low, I charge overnite, when I turn on in the am, I leave it plugged in until I leave the house. Been doing this since March. No problems. Also, If you turn off the auto rotate, (only use it when needed) you will gain more time. I average 11 hours of power. Neat trick.
	0

Jun 9, 2011, 12:48 PM	#5
club1820 macrumors member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Berwyn	Does anyone know if there are extensions cords available so you don't need to be so close to an outlet? thanks.
	1

Jun 9, 2011, 09:45 PM	#6
Aspasia macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Halfway between the Equator and North Pole	Apple sells a 10W USB charger with a six-foot cord. $29 at the online store. Very handy to keep in the house while the original charger travels with your iPad.
	0

Jun 13, 2011, 02:44 PM	#9
absentraveler Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2011	Thanks for your very useful response, bufffilm!
	0


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